Resolving system information between EPS and 5GS

Abstract

According to some embodiments, a method for use in a wireless device of acquiring system information associated with a core network comprises receiving system information from a network node. The network node is connected to one or more core networks. The system information includes an indication of a network type (e.g., enhanced packet system (EPS), fifth generation system (5GS), etc.) for each core network. The method further comprises determining a capability of the wireless device for connecting to the plurality of network types, and determining whether to connect to a core network based on the network type and the capability of the wireless device. In particular embodiments, the indication of the network type comprises a list of public land mobile networks (PLMNs) connected to the network node and an indication of network types supported by each PLMN.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A method for use in a wireless device of acquiring system information associated with a core network, the method comprising:
 receiving system information from a network node, the network node connected to one or more core networks, the system information including an indication of a network type for each core network of the one or more core networks, wherein each core network is either an enhanced packet system (EPS) core network or a fifth generation system (5GS) core network; 
 determining a capability of the wireless device for connecting to a EPS core network, a 5GS core network, or both; and 
 determining whether to connect to a core network of the one or more core networks based on the network type of the core network and the capability of the wireless device for connecting to the plurality of network types. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the indication of the network type for each core network of the one or more core networks is received in system information block one (SIB1) or system information block two (SIB2). 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1 , wherein determining whether to connect to a core network of the one or more core networks comprises determining not to connect to any of the one or more core networks; and
 the method further comprises connecting to a different network node. 
 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1 , wherein determining the capability of the wireless device for connecting to the plurality of network types comprises determining the wireless device is capable of connecting to a 5GS core network type; and
 the method further comprises interpreting one or more parameters of the received system information differently for 5GS than for EPS. 
 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 4 , wherein interpreting one or more parameters of the received system information differently for 5GS than for EPS comprises ignoring an EPS barring parameter and determining whether to connect to a core network of the one or more core networks comprises evaluating a 5GS barring parameter. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 4 , wherein interpreting one or more parameters of the received system information differently for 5GS comprises obtaining an indication that one or more information elements of the system information are to be interpreted according to 5GS. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 6 , wherein obtaining the indication that one or more information elements are to be interpreted according to 5GS comprises at least one of receiving dedicated signaling or broadcast signaling from the network node. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 6 , wherein obtaining the indication that one or more information elements are to be interpreted according to 5GS comprises determining that the wireless device is connected to a 5GS core network. 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 4 , wherein determining the capability of the wireless device for connecting to the plurality of network types comprises determining the wireless device is capable of connecting to a 5GS core network type; and
 the method further comprises acquiring 5GS specific system information blocks. 
 
     
     
       10. A wireless device capable of acquiring system information associated with a core network, the wireless device comprising processing circuitry operable to:
 receive system information from a network node, the network node connected to one or more core networks, the system information including an indication of a network type for each core network of the one or more core networks, wherein each core network is either an enhanced packet system (EPS) core network or a fifth generation system (5GS) core network; 
 determine a capability of the wireless device for connecting to a EPS core network, a 5GS core network, or both; and 
 determine whether to connect to a core network of the one or more core networks based on the network type of the core network and the capability of the wireless device for connecting to the plurality of network types. 
 
     
     
       11. The wireless device of  claim 10 , the processing circuitry is operable to receive the indication of the network type for each core network of the one or more core networks in system information block one (SIB1) or system information block two (SIB2). 
     
     
       12. The wireless device of  claim 10 , wherein when the processing circuitry determines not to connect to any of the one or more core networks, the processing circuitry is further operable to connect to a different network node. 
     
     
       13. The wireless device of  claim 12 , wherein when the processing circuitry determines the wireless device is capable of connecting to a 5GS core network type, the processing circuitry is further operable to interpret one or more parameters of the received system information differently for 5GS than for EPS. 
     
     
       14. The wireless device of  claim 13 , wherein the processing circuitry is operable to interpret one or more parameters of the received system information differently for 5GS than for EPS by ignoring an EPS barring parameter and is operable to determine whether to connect to a core network of the one or more core networks by evaluating a 5GS barring parameter. 
     
     
       15. The wireless device of  claim 13 , wherein the processing circuitry is operable to interpret one or more parameters of the received system information differently for 5GS by obtaining an indication that one or more information elements of the system information are to be interpreted according to 5GS. 
     
     
       16. The wireless device of  claim 13 , wherein the processing circuitry is operable to obtain the indication that one or more information elements are to be interpreted according to 5GS by at least one of receiving dedicated signaling or broadcast signaling from the network node. 
     
     
       17. The wireless device of  claim 13 , wherein the processing circuitry is operable to obtain the indication that one or more information elements are to be interpreted according to 5GS by determining that the wireless device is connected to a 5GS core network. 
     
     
       18. The wireless device of  claim 12 , wherein when the processing circuitry determines the wireless device is capable of connecting to a 5GS core network type, the processing circuitry is further operable to acquire 5GS specific system information blocks. 
     
     
       19. A method for use in a network node of providing system information associated with a core network, the method comprising:
 determining the network node is connected to one or more core networks; and 
 transmitting system information, the system information including an indication of a network type for each core network of the one or more core networks wherein each core network is either an enhanced packet system (EPS) core network or a fifth generation system (5GS) core network. 
 
     
     
       20. The method of  claim 19 , wherein the indication of the network type for each core network of the one or more core networks is in system information block one (SIB1) or system information block two (SIB2). 
     
     
       21. The method of  claim 19 , wherein a core network of the one or more core networks is a 5GS core network and the system information for the core network includes parameters that have a different meaning with respect to 5GS than with respect to EPS. 
     
     
       22. The method of  claim 19 , wherein a core network of the one or more core networks is a 5GS core network and the system information for the core network includes 5GS specific system information blocks. 
     
     
       23. The method of  claim 22 , further comprising transmitting an indication that one or more information elements of the system information are to be interpreted according to 5GS. 
     
     
       24. The method of  claim 23 , wherein transmitting the indication that one or more information elements are to be interpreted according to 5GS comprises transmitting dedicated signaling or transmitting broadcast signaling.